Prototype Giant and Liv gravel race bikes spotted ahead of Unbound Gravel

Giant currently offers a single gravel-specific model, which is the Revolt; it sits adjacent to the TCX cyclocross bike in the brand’s off-road drop-bar range.

Similarities in the bikes’ frames and online speculation point to this being an updated version of the Revolt.

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A handy comparison can be found by looking at Brendan Johnston’s Instagram post below from last month. Johnston rode an existing Revolt frame, and it makes for an easy way to look at potential changes, based on the assumption that this mystery machine is some kind of new Revolt model.

The changes to the frame itself look relatively small, though when official news does come from Giant, it may be the case that a lot of tube shapes themselves are different.

The head tube of the bike looks slightly deeper and shorter; this is where comparing the same riders’ bikes is handy.

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The top tube and seat tube junction is clearly different, with a more standard shape being used; a different scalloped seatpost has been fitted, likely to boost comfort.

At the back end, it also seems the frame has received a UDH compatibility update, a must-have these days for any up-to-date gravel machine.

Giant’s adjustable ‘flip chip’, which gives riders the ability to lengthen the bike’s wheelbase (and increase tyre clearance), also appears to have been removed. This is something of a rare feature amongst gravel machines.

Tyre clearance for the current Revolt is 53mm in the long flip chip setting and 45mm in the short. It’s probably fair to assume the new machine can handle at least a 50mm tyre.

That’s the bike’s frame, but Giant threw us another bone when it mentioned ‘prototypes’, which tells us there is more that’s new.

The mystery bike’s wheels and handlebar could be new components as well. It’s difficult to be sure, but the wheels fitted to the bike could be a new gravel-specific model.

While they look similar to the Cadex Ultra wheels and share similar-looking bladed carbon spokes and a 16-spoke front wheel spoke count, Cadex officially only has a single, less racy-looking AR 35 wheelset that is gravel-specific.

After seeing the posts, we headed for a look at prototype Giant and Liv gravel race bikes ahead of the racing starting.

Riders who will be on the prototype frames include Brendan Johnston, Cole Paton, and Matteo Fontana on the men’s side and Peta Mullens, Tessa Neefjes and Melisa Rollins on the women’s.

Staff from either brand would not answer any specific questions about them. But we took shots of the bikes below which provide a good insight into what they are about – speed.

Cole Paton’s bike was fitted with 700 x 55 tyres on a CADEX wheelset that featured integrated carbon spokes, internal spoke nipples and an aero lip around the outside. Presumably, given the forecast, the tyres will need to be swapped for something narrower on race day. (Image credit: Ethan Glading)

Large chainrings, and the space to go larger, were in evidence on both the Giants and the Livs. Since the riders are privateers, they are free to spec their bikes to their personal preferences. There was a mix of Shimano and SRAM, with the men pushing close to 50 teeth on the front. (Image credit: Ethan Glading)

55mm Vittoria Terreno T30 tyres were fitted to this bike, that’s a definite boost from the current Revolt (Image credit: Ethan Glading)

No mounting bolts on the fork. But there are mounts for a bottle under the top tube which is both more aero and within easy reach for a rider who is going full gas. (Image credit: Ethan Glading)

Also on display were new integrated cockpits and a D-shaped seatpost that is both aero and designed to provide an extra bit of suspension-like comfort. Spot the Coros computer. (Image credit: Ethan Glading)

The seat clamp area if different, there’s the ability to mount an additional bottle under the top tube too. (Image credit: Ethan Glading)

This seatpost has a cutout, we presume for comfort, it looks a little like the Cannondale C1 aero post. (Image credit: Ethan Glading)

Here’s Tessa Neefjes with her prototype Liv machine, which looks similar overall to the Giant model, nice colour co-ordination! (Image credit: Ethan Glading)

These are a Maxxis Aspen tyre variant. Check that gold head tube logo (Image credit: Ethan Glading)

Plenty of clearance on show here, the riders will need it if things get properly muddy. (Image credit: Ethan Glading)

Bit of a mixed transmission combination here with a SRAM Eagle XX rear mech and Eagle SL cassette. (Image credit: Ethan Glading)

This Liv model has an intergated bar and stem, this bike seems to be race focussed. (Image credit: Ethan Glading)

Tessa Neefjes’s rig features custom 3-D printed accessories, supplied by Liv, such as an ultra-light computer mount and a CO2 cartridge holder, in addition to the custom 3-D printed saddle. (Image credit: Ethan Glading)

Here’a a shot of that 3d printed saddle, comfort is important at Unbound! (Image credit: Ethan Glading)